MCG HEALTH SYSTEM RECOGNIZES NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

Augusta, Ga. -- Most of us don't consider our work environment to be a dangerous place. But improper ergonomics can cause repetitive strain disorders and other injuries that could take months to rehabilitate.

In recognition of June as National Safety Month, Cheryl Priessman, an occupational therapist at MCG Health System, offers the following tips to help prevent injury.

• Prolonged lack of movement, awkward posture and repetitive
  motion are the three main causes of injury. For those in jobs
  that might involve these causes of injury, more frequent but
  very short rest breaks (two to three minimum per hour) are
  recommended for changing body position, standing and
  stretching or switching the hand controlling the mouse.
• If several employees use a single chair, it should be height and
  armrest adjustable. A chair is properly adjusted when the entire
  sole of the foot can rest on the floor or on a footrest. The back
  of the knee should be slightly higher than the seat of the chair,
  allowing for good lower extremity circulation.
• To protect the eyes, computer monitors should be away from
  glare or sunlight and approximately 18 to 30 inches away from
  the person. The top of the screen should be at eye level.
• When seated at a keyboard, a person's elbows should be placed
  comfortably at the sides of the body, with shoulders relaxed,
  forearms parallel to the floor and wrists in neutral. The keyboard
  should be directly in front of the user. When using the
  keyboard, do not bend wrists up and down or side to side;
  instead, move your entire arm. Specialty keyboards are
  available to assist in comfortable positioning.
• The mouse should be positioned at the operator's side, easily
  reachable when the arm is close to the body. During use, the
  hand and forearm should be straight and the upper arm should
  not be elevated or extended. A rotating mouse platform is a
  useful tool.

MCG Health System is composed of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit MCGHealth.org.